Writing a story for success

By Eric Sokol
Business Manager

Being a school that is typically an athletic powerhouse, the art programs are improving rapidly. Whether it is in the art room painting pictures or in the music wing creating music, the students create a connection with their product. So why not give them another medium to excel at? Why only limit them to art classes, playing in the band or singing in the choir? At Burrell, there is an answer that needs to be found. More students than you think write on their own everyday. Whether students are writing during class because they are bored, or at night right before they go to bed, it is happening. It can be as simple as one line rhymes or even as elaborate as creating songs. Those students, no, those members of society deserve to be taught how to channel those thoughts and take their writing to an entirely new level.
According to Mrs. Lovic, having a creative writing class allows students to express themselves in a new way. This course would consist of the study of several forms of poetry, learning to effectively use literary devices, and even the creation of their own form of poetry. Also, the class would teach students the proper mechanics of writing a story. This will include characterization, theme, plot, point of view and much more. The theme of the entire class would be about students creatively expressing themselves and their story into an organized short story or poem. In today’s society doesn’t everyone need an outlet? The “real” world around us as a student body is rapidly coming closer and closer to reality, and who is to say that we will not need writing skills, or even just a way to express ourselves five years from now? It could be something as simple as just going to a coffee shop poetry reading on Tuesdays or even as powerful as it becoming your profession and this class could be your window to creating a career.

Don’t let the class title scare you away. Though it does have the word writing in the title, it will not be just another writing class like we’ve all been used to. It’s short stories and poems, for the people who are interested; it’s exactly what you want to write. This class is more than just another class that would be added to the curriculum. This class is a way to take that extra step to break down the barriers that have been set by generations before us. This is a chance to branch out, take the initiative, and become the initial group; the pioneers of this class. To those who want this to happen, this should be more than just a class. Regardless of whether or not you support this cause, it will always be more than just a class. This is not just for the people in the high school today; it’s for the younger students below us. Allow them to help find themselves when they reach the high school. Allow them this opportunity to branch out, if not for today, allow this change for tomorrow. Allow this to happen so students don’t dread the first day of their high school career. This class can be as beneficial as the students allow it.

Now you’re probably wondering why I’m making reference to the students and how this class is in the student’s hands. Well it’s very simple actually, without students, there is no class. Yes, the teacher is the other half of this class, but the teacher will not be the only one teaching this class. The entire course is based on taking what others have to say and allow it to be their own. I mean, “Creative” is in the title. How can you become more creative, more open to ideas or even more open-minded if you do not allow yourself to listen to others?

Students today just walk through the halls with blank stares on their faces. This needs to change and the first step to doing this starts with us, the students. How we can just coast through this building of education and take something out of it when we don’t put anything into it? Every student inside this school should have a mission to change something about this school. The students involved in creating and taking this class should have a sense of pride knowing that they improved this school.
After having a meeting with our very own Superintendent Mrs. Wanger and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Loughead, this class seems to be very doable. They were on the same page and even feel the same way as I do now. They want to help speed up the process in this class but they cannot if there is no interest in the class. So get together, make a petition, show interest in this class and help speed up the process. The school is not going to produce something that doesn’t have any interest but if they know there is a group of students out there that want to make this happen, it has a better chance to be an actually product of our work.
Once again, do this not for you but do this to help a younger student that is struggling through high school or even life to have a healthy and beneficial outlet of their emotions. For just this one time look into the future and picture Burrell High School with a creative writing class. If you do not see a change then I feel sorry for you. It’s a huge possibility that this class could affect the lives of many, and much like the butterfly effect, this will eventually affect more people than you can think of. A teacher once told me that no matter how small of an interaction you have with a person, they change your perception of the world or any situation. After hearing that and putting some thought into it, I realize now that she was right. Also, this holds true to how this class can affect the lives of millions. So as I beat it into this article one more time, take action, take the initiative and get this class started and know that you just helped not only yourself, but someone that later on is going to need this help.